Mamata Banerjee leads protest against hawker evictions in Kolkata

Mamata Banerjee Leads Surprise Protest March Against Hawker Evictions Amid TMC Turmoil

Kolkata: Trinamool Congress (TMC) chairperson and former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee led an unscheduled protest march in Kolkata's Dharmatala on Thursday, opposing the alleged illegal eviction of hawkers. The march, which was not pre-announced to the administration, highlighted growing tensions over recent anti-encroachment drives in the state.

Banerjee was joined by TMC MLA Kunal Ghosh, former MP Dola Sen, and hundreds of protestors. The march began at Esplanade, where Banerjee's presence drew a large crowd, and proceeded to Subodh Mullick Square. The protest followed a controversial anti-encroachment drive on June 7, during which bulldozers demolished makeshift shops and stalls on Jadavpur Station Road.

The TMC has strongly condemned the evictions, describing them as "illegal, unjust, and inhumane." Banerjee has emphasized that hawker evictions must be preceded by proper rehabilitation measures. A post on X (formerly Twitter) from the party reiterated its commitment to defending the "dignity and livelihood" of Bengal's people.

“Our Hon'ble Chairperson Mamata Banerjee, alongside party leaders and dedicated workers, led a peaceful protest march against the illegal, unjust, and deeply inhumane eviction of hawkers across Bengal. The people of Bengal have always come first,” the TMC stated in its post. The party also accused the BJP-led central government of implementing "anti-people policies" and labeled it "ruthless."

The protest comes at a time of internal strife within the TMC, with several MLAs rebelling and at least 20 Lok Sabha MPs reportedly joining the Tripura-based NCPI party while extending support to the NDA.

Meanwhile, the BJP dismissed Banerjee's protest as a "last-ditch effort to remain in the media." West Bengal minister Dilip Ghosh criticized her, claiming that her actions were driven by self-interest and accusing her of exploiting hawkers for political gain. Ghosh reiterated the state government's commitment to clearing roads of encroachments to ease public inconvenience.

The June 7 anti-encroachment drive had sparked significant unrest, with large crowds gathering to oppose the demolitions. Protestors raised slogans against the authorities, leading to police lathi charges and the deployment of Rapid Action Force personnel to control the situation.

Banerjee’s surprise march underscores her attempt to position herself as a defender of the marginalized amid mounting political challenges for the TMC.